CONMEBOL to investigate Gonzalo Jara gesture to Edinson Cavani

SANTIAGO, Chile -- South American football officials will look into the actions of Chile defender Gonzalo Jara, who was caught by TV cameras poking Edinson Cavani's behind to provoke a red card in the quarterfinals of the Copa America.

Alberto Lozada, a member of CONMEBOL's disciplinary panel, said Thursday that the local governing body "will open an investigation" into the Chilean player.

Cavani, Uruguay's top striker in the South American tournament, was sent off after the 63rd-minute provocation by Jara, and Chile went on to win Wednesday's match 1-0. Defender Mauricio Isla scored the winner in the 81st to send Chile to the semifinals of the Copa America for the first time in 16 years.

Cavani slapped Jara in the face immediately after the Chilean put his hand on him, but the referee only punished the Paris Saint-Germain striker, giving him a second yellow card. While the slap appeared to be light, Jara dropped to the ground with his hand to his face.

Cavani's first yellow was for complaining to the linesman in the 30th.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin said after the match that Cavani "reacted the way he did" only because of what Jara did.

It wasn't the first time Jara was seen provoking another player. In 2013, Uruguay star striker Luis Suarez was sent off from a World Cup qualifier for punching Jara in the face after a similar provocation from the Chilean.

Jara has been an important player in Chile's defense and a suspension could be costly for the hosts, who are trying to win the South American tournament for the first time. Chile will play either Peru or Bolivia in the semifinals.